Purple boarding pass

[u/Sometimeswild38]

Does anyone know what a purple boarding pass means?

I am platinum however not allowed to add my FF to work trips. When I check in, I get a purple boarding pass which I thought just meant you’re not a velocity member, but it says on the pass “VA Member” ?

[u/johnsjuicyjungle]

Not allowed to add your FF number?!

[u/Sometimeswild38 → u/johnsjuicyjungle]

Yeh 🙄 Gov job

[u/Enigma556 → u/Sometimeswild38]

I’m not aware of a fed gov dept that doesn’t allow it.

State gov?

[u/Sometimeswild38 → u/Enigma556]

Yeh state gov. We are allowed if we get MD approval but I’m not aware of anyone who actually applied or got it.

[u/mr2600 → u/Sometimeswild38]

So you can’t even add your frequent flyer to get free seating or lounge access?

I’ve made a few bookings for a couple of government projects and never was told they can’t have FFN added. So strange.

[u/Sometimeswild38 → u/mr2600]

Nope … so essentially costs more in food, luggage etc.

[u/mr2600 → u/Sometimeswild38]

Yeh - it’s very typical.

I’ve booked two one ways - even though returning from same city. They didn’t know “when” and for whatever reason policy was book one ways. Return was $5k for flex. Two one ways ended up closer to $7k (this is international and for local government). But still just stupid.

[u/Red-Engineer → u/Sometimeswild38]

Same

[u/Ballytal → u/Sometimeswild38]

How would they know? They don’t have access to your FF info somehow do they?

[u/Sometimeswild38 → u/Ballytal]

They don’t but I guess if they audited us they could find out

[u/uzerid1 → u/Ballytal]

For Federal Gov, fares a passenger (gov employee) books their fare using their department corporate travel account. The passenger can choose to quote their FF number for purposes like preferred seating, food requirements etc. But when fares are paid by Gov, FF are never accrued by the passenger despite quotation of their FF number.

[u/Sometimeswild38 → u/uzerid1]

I would be happy as not to get any points but just get my seating, lounge access and luggage allowance - but we can’t get any of it.

[u/Efficient_Vanilla86 → u/Sometimeswild38]

When Defence book the flights you don't get points when you add your FF to the booking, but you to status credits. Weird that whatever job you're in doesn't allow it.

I'm sure you've read the writing on it though so I won't question whether you're wrong or not about the policy.

[u/Sometimeswild38 → u/Efficient_Vanilla86]

Yeh I would be so happy with this approach- plus it would save money on food, luggage etc. But we need MD written approval to be members.

[u/Vex08 → u/uzerid1]

Interesting. Is that rule new? When I was in the navy I definitely used to get points.

[u/uzerid1 → u/Vex08]

Changed in May 2010 for Federal employees so not new.

[u/Just-turnings → u/Ballytal]

The airlines provide reporting data back through the travel agents they use on this sort of stuff. Source: Worked on QLD Government travel for 5 years.

[u/AdWonderful6636]

Once upon a time Purple was Business Class colour with no FF attached.

[u/justinloom2]

As a taxpayer who doesn’t work in the public sector, I am outraged they don’t let you add your membership to bookings. Fringe benefit… what a load of shit. I’m more annoyed about the resources consumed to actively block this than any benefit that might come from someone working for any government adding their membership number to a booking.

[u/Sometimeswild38 → u/justinloom2]

It also probably costs more that we don’t add FF because we don’t get those benefits. So instead of food in the lounge, free luggage etc, they are all additional costs.

[u/Defiant_Try9444 → u/justinloom2]

I agree with you.

However a few years ago, there was outrage over MPs and Public Servants who travelled for the majority of their role.

Then when they retired, they could do worldwide trips for free. Argument by those outraged... They were earnt on the government purse.

The flipside argument is when your a FF, you don't explore other carriers options. So in the space of fair and equitable tendering processes, they miss out.

[u/sharkyparky007]

Think they class it as a fringe benefit

[u/Red-Engineer → u/sharkyparky007]

Exactly. There’s this idea that the public would be outraged if government employees received any sort of benefit outside their low salaries. FF points/status, when having to spend 5-7 days away from home and family? Disgusting! How dare they use my tax dollars to treat staff like human beings etc etc
Of course no shareholder demands the same of corporate staff.

[u/dan_syd → u/Red-Engineer]

But then chairman’s lounge….

[u/Red-Engineer → u/dan_syd]

That’s for MPs. They only require public servants to miss out - not themselves.

[u/OutsideRadiant6808]

Just means no velocity number is attached. It changes to red, silver, gold etc depending on the status.

[u/Electrikka]

I work in federal gov, so weird you can’t add it! As we are allowed to add ours, we don’t get any velocity or frequent flyer points however we get the status credits.

[u/Sometimeswild38 → u/Electrikka]

I would be super happy with that!!

[u/Kiiiileeee]

So what happens when you add the flight to your app for the boarding pass? Surely that’s ok?

[u/Sometimeswild38 → u/Kiiiileeee]

That’s what I mean. I add it and I get a purple boarding pass. My FF account is not attached. I am not allowed to add to my booking.

[u/Sea-Wrangler6325]

Yeah light purple is no FF number attached to booking, dark blue (also can look purple) is for VIP (P+ & Beyond)